It's really nice to see an intelligent man that is confident without being too arrogant, and humble while still having the strength to take what he deserves. To be honest, it's hard to say whether Benji is just the right amount of confident or too much confident because my culture is one that prides in humility, almost to the point of fault. But what I am sure of is that I admired Benji for his attitude on this show when it was airing and this interview only makes me admire him even more.
i think it's crazy that benji did a six hour interview because i can't imagine myself sitting for that long, and i'm an extremely boring person. benji is so energetic, six hours! crazy
I like that interview, really honest, it nice to know how it's like backstage of the show, nowadays the production wants us to believe that top 20 are like family and like each other, but I think in early season we could feel that not all of the dancers were close.
This gentleman "Benju Schwimmer" is very truthful. He went thru what I went thru. Only thing one missionary committed suicide because of the shaming from the church people.
I don't like how he said he had nothing to do with the show after his season, cause we all know that's not true. He's been brought back a few times to choreograph routines for contestants, and if you watch Ivan's movement videos from around 2008, you can see him backstage with various contestants from seasons 2, 3 and 4.
this is really IN-DEPTH...and just soooo goooodddd.... all the REAL behind the scenes... i mean, i used to work in TV...shows like SYTYCD...but listening to this still fascinates me.... one of my all time favorite tv shows...except that season 13 with the kiddies, which i just skipped. ugh!!
:) I was mostly just joking. But seriously, this is an amazing interview and I was deeply moved and entertained and informed and enlightened all at once. And this is coming from a long-time Mormon Stories fan who has been deeply moved, entertained, informed, and enlightened by your interviews many times in the past. Thanks, as always, John!
Benji, you are an inspiration. Your honesty is refreshing. But let me correct you. I know that earlier on, some of the judges seemed against you that messed with your confidence but you were indeed the most technical dancer on that show. You and your cousin Heidi. No one else even came close to the versatility you displayed, so yes, you DESERVED that win more than anyone else. Donyelle did not carry you, she did most of her own work but that last bit was definitely you that took you both high. It was solely YOU that made this show popular. No one else that won had your popularity before or after you. You are an awesome guy! I really loved these interviews.
How wonderful that we have the terms and understanding now that your gender role and your sexual attraction are not related. That you being gay doesn't automatically mean you are feminine.
That Evergreen stuff he mentions is HORRIBLE crap. I went through it in my early 20s and it really messed me up. There's a reason that these programs are being outlawed around the country.
Benji was always my favorite dancer and still is! I never got attached to any SYTYCD contestant after he won and would always hope to see him perform as a guest. Altho I love singers, I admire dancers much more because of their hard work, the risks involved, and their relatively short career spans.
I read the same interview where he said that! So it must have been Travis. Maybe now Travis understands it better, why he was like that. en said to him I'm proud of you.
This is so interesting to watch from the perspective of a non-Mormon person to watch. I kind have a better understanding of what the group is really about and now I can really see why people feel so strongly about it. Very interesting. To think sytycd brought me here.
Loved 51:12. Cause that is basically every art. I've learned that in my photography course. Our photographs reveal us & who we are. We are constantly in competition with others, with our egos & sensitiveness as they are. I've found that about myself, I critique others who've taught themselves & want to become one. In my mind I'm saying "No you're no good at it" when honestly I'm not sure how good I am either, I just feel competition with so many people trying to become a pro photographer now.
I sort of agree, but not in a bad way (about the show). I knew there had to be a long period between auditions and when the top 20 were named, because I knew that from watching Idol. What I have the most respect for in terms of the show itself is the fact that even though the performance shows are 'live on tape', that they maintain the integrity of the live dances. But like you, the reason I loved Benji is that you were seeing him and not some character he wanted to present.
John, not all gays are Effeminate, terrible question for you! Someday the Politburo running the church will have to be real, rather than idealistic, will any members under 70 be left?
Wondering if John misspelled Schwimmer on purpose to keep these videos from showing up in Google searches for Benji, because this is some revealing stuff! Really, really great podcast - never would have expected Benji would share so much dirt about SYTYCD or about his sexuality, among so many other things.
Towards the end of the video the tragedy that he speaks of that happened with him and his (at the time) girlfriend, sounds like they had a miscarriage. I'm staying this because no went through one with my boyfriend almost 2 years ago, and it was devastating.
This could be why i know so many LDS people from performing in Vegas and assumed there was a lot of LDS out there. I briefly went to a baptist church which was a departure from Christain Science that i was going to in the early part before that. And they find dance (any king or dance) to be a sinful action to get down a girls pants. Which is that has never been my motivation for anything in life. I find LDS people to be so nice and really so loving (most of them) and they were always on the defensive with me because they thought i was trying to be hateful or a smart ass with the church questions. I just got a few books though and i see why they were assuming the worst. LOL
I know, we should be able to figure out who his roommate was. But looking at the contestants I would guess Ryan, Jaymz or Ben. I could be wrong though.
He is gay but has issues relating to masculinity. What point am I missing? A lot of gay people have issues relating to shame they felt growing up. This shame often comes from their churches--like the Mormon church. I know how Mormon boys enforce these masculine ideals among their peers. He seems like a very nice young man but he is way too insistent on being perceived as masculine.
I think you are missing the part where you are not supposed to openly talk about someone struggling with their sexuality on the wall of something a bunch of people may reach even when its well-intended. Im sure you meant well, and this was forever ago. I was like "Uh Tact and sensitivity! that's what you are missing" lol🤣
Karma?!? Obviously hurt people hurt people. But I like the saying “We are all victims of victims”. But Benji makes it seem like because someone who insulted your sister that as the punishment for that was that they became a lesbian and then transitioned into living as a man! That is not a punishment in & of itself. Of course it is not easy to live that in a homophobic/transphobic society.
I think John Delhi always makes a fool out of himself . Did a little better with this one . His hate doesn’t show through as much and his lies . He should have better things to do with his time . John D has also been excommunicated on here acting like he knows nothing about the church .
I am not religious, but I really respect Benji for staying true to his beliefs through his experience. Plus, I loved him so much on the show!
Excellent interview. I'm very glad I got to watch it. Benji was my favorite from season 2 of SYTYCD.
It's really nice to see an intelligent man that is confident without being too arrogant, and humble while still having the strength to take what he deserves.
To be honest, it's hard to say whether Benji is just the right amount of confident or too much confident because my culture is one that prides in humility, almost to the point of fault. But what I am sure of is that I admired Benji for his attitude on this show when it was airing and this interview only makes me admire him even more.
This is so interesting hearing the SYTYCD behind the scenes stuff!
i think it's crazy that benji did a six hour interview because i can't imagine myself sitting for that long, and i'm an extremely boring person. benji is so energetic, six hours! crazy
I like that interview, really honest, it nice to know how it's like backstage of the show, nowadays the production wants us to believe that top 20 are like family and like each other, but I think in early season we could feel that not all of the dancers were close.
This gentleman "Benju Schwimmer" is very truthful. He went thru what I went thru. Only thing one missionary committed suicide because of the shaming from the church people.
I'm loving this interview.
I don't like how he said he had nothing to do with the show after his season, cause we all know that's not true. He's been brought back a few times to choreograph routines for contestants, and if you watch Ivan's movement videos from around 2008, you can see him backstage with various contestants from seasons 2, 3 and 4.
this is really IN-DEPTH...and just soooo goooodddd.... all the REAL behind the scenes... i mean, i used to work in TV...shows like SYTYCD...but listening to this still fascinates me....
one of my all time favorite tv shows...except that season 13 with the kiddies, which i just skipped. ugh!!
That season with the kids was EXCELLENT
:) I was mostly just joking. But seriously, this is an amazing interview and I was deeply moved and entertained and informed and enlightened all at once. And this is coming from a long-time Mormon Stories fan who has been deeply moved, entertained, informed, and enlightened by your interviews many times in the past. Thanks, as always, John!
Benji, you are an inspiration. Your honesty is refreshing. But let me correct you. I know that earlier on, some of the judges seemed against you that messed with your confidence but you were indeed the most technical dancer on that show. You and your cousin Heidi. No one else even came close to the versatility you displayed, so yes, you DESERVED that win more than anyone else. Donyelle did not carry you, she did most of her own work but that last bit was definitely you that took you both high. It was solely YOU that made this show popular. No one else that won had your popularity before or after you. You are an awesome guy! I really loved these interviews.
How wonderful that we have the terms and understanding now that your gender role and your sexual attraction are not related. That you being gay doesn't automatically mean you are feminine.
That Evergreen stuff he mentions is HORRIBLE crap. I went through it in my early 20s and it really messed me up. There's a reason that these programs are being outlawed around the country.
I went to a couple of evergreen meeting years ago, most of the members were sleeping with each other, it was a big hookup place.
I like him even more now. Great to hear him talk and share.
I have loved BenJi since I first saw him on DWTS and I still do
Benji was always my favorite dancer and still is! I never got attached to any SYTYCD contestant after he won and would always hope to see him perform as a guest. Altho I love singers, I admire dancers much more because of their hard work, the risks involved, and their relatively short career spans.
Amazing interview. I'm not a fan of Mormonism but Benji is amazing and I loved all the background on SYTYCD.
I’m glad Benji is living his best live
I read the same interview where he said that! So it must have been Travis. Maybe now Travis understands it better, why he was like that. en said to him I'm proud of you.
This is so interesting to watch from the perspective of a non-Mormon person to watch. I kind have a better understanding of what the group is really about and now I can really see why people feel so strongly about it. Very interesting. To think sytycd brought me here.
Loved 51:12. Cause that is basically every art. I've learned that in my photography course. Our photographs reveal us & who we are. We are constantly in competition with others, with our egos & sensitiveness as they are. I've found that about myself, I critique others who've taught themselves & want to become one. In my mind I'm saying "No you're no good at it" when honestly I'm not sure how good I am either, I just feel competition with so many people trying to become a pro photographer now.
I'm guessing the choreographer was Mia Michaels.
Deborah Karp I was thinking sonya.
@@antipatsy Sonya wasn't on the show that early
I sort of agree, but not in a bad way (about the show). I knew there had to be a long period between auditions and when the top 20 were named, because I knew that from watching Idol. What I have the most respect for in terms of the show itself is the fact that even though the performance shows are 'live on tape', that they maintain the integrity of the live dances. But like you, the reason I loved Benji is that you were seeing him and not some character he wanted to present.
Maybe it's because I just watched the whole series of The Office, but watching Benji in this he reminds me so much of Andy Bernard. :)
Oh no no no
Hahaha. I used to get that a bit.
why is he so amazing ❤
LOL! Everyone thought he had something going on with Donyelle on SYTYCD. Guess not.
Lmao
His charm is honestly distracting, esp. when he smiles.
John, not all gays are Effeminate, terrible question for you! Someday the Politburo running the church will have to be real, rather than idealistic, will any members under 70 be left?
Wondering if John misspelled Schwimmer on purpose to keep these videos from showing up in Google searches for Benji, because this is some revealing stuff! Really, really great podcast - never would have expected Benji would share so much dirt about SYTYCD or about his sexuality, among so many other things.
when he tells the stories about Lacey❤️
Elana Kirsch what he say about Lacey?
Towards the end of the video the tragedy that he speaks of that happened with him and his (at the time) girlfriend, sounds like they had a miscarriage. I'm staying this because no went through one with my boyfriend almost 2 years ago, and it was devastating.
This could be why i know so many LDS people from performing in Vegas and assumed there was a lot of LDS out there. I briefly went to a baptist church which was a departure from Christain Science that i was going to in the early part before that. And they find dance (any king or dance) to be a sinful action to get down a girls pants. Which is that has never been my motivation for anything in life. I find LDS people to be so nice and really so loving (most of them) and they were always on the defensive with me because they thought i was trying to be hateful or a smart ass with the church questions. I just got a few books though and i see why they were assuming the worst. LOL
He looks so different than on sytycd
Still Love Benji S. Good to see him being true to himself
When he talks about how one couple literally had to make up a routine at last minute, who do u think he was referring to?
That was in the Tribune? Sounds more like the Deseret News.
Who was the choreographer teaching him ?!
I know, we should be able to figure out who his roommate was. But looking at the contestants I would guess Ryan, Jaymz or Ben. I could be wrong though.
He is gay but has issues relating to masculinity. What point am I missing? A lot of gay people have issues relating to shame they felt growing up. This shame often comes from their churches--like the Mormon church. I know how Mormon boys enforce these masculine ideals among their peers. He seems like a very nice young man but he is way too insistent on being perceived as masculine.
I think you are missing the part where you are not supposed to openly talk about someone struggling with their sexuality on the wall of something a bunch of people may reach even when its well-intended.
Im sure you meant well, and this was forever ago. I was like "Uh Tact and sensitivity! that's what you are missing" lol🤣
Mandy Moore has worked at EDGE, so I think that it's her......
I love this man
So Proud of you to come out n be proud... On another note I really want to know who his roommate was!!!!!!
he is good looking here =)
And anywhere...
💛
"let's find your manhood"
"....That sounds pornographic"
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
Reading my original post I can see how you'd think that. I should have been more clear.
Benji I'm very proud of you. Thank u 4 this interview. earrings=sexy
Karma?!? Obviously hurt people hurt people. But I like the saying “We are all victims of victims”. But Benji makes it seem like because someone who insulted your sister that as the punishment for that was that they became a lesbian and then transitioned into living as a man! That is not a punishment in & of itself. Of course it is not easy to live that in a homophobic/transphobic society.
Why would he do a six hour interview. Wow.
Little bit of an ego in this segment.
He seems very sweet. I hope he will get over his issues over gayness and effeminacy.
Who do you think was the dancer he had a crush on? I feel like it was Ben Susak. Reply for who you think it was
Travis Wall
Oh crud!
I think John Delhi always makes a fool out of himself . Did a little better with this one . His hate doesn’t show through as much and his lies . He should have better things to do with his time . John D has also been excommunicated on here acting like he knows nothing about the church .
He needs to learn the meaning of "literally".
بنجي اتمنى لك دخول الاسلام كم احبك يا اخي